How to Plan a Landscape For Your Front Yard

Plant smaller trees in the front yard that will not obstruct the view.

A front yard landscape plan will save you time and money, even if you have a professional landscaper do the work. Careful consideration of the size and growing conditions of the landscaped areas will help you choose appropriate plants that are more likely to thrive and provide the desired effect.

Things You'll Need

• Property survey
• Utility and gas line locations
• Tape measure
• Graph paper
• Pencil
• 2 sheets of tracing paper
• Tape

Instructions

1. 

   Plant large trees at least 12 feet away from cable, gas or electric lines.

   Have the property surveyed if there is any question about where the lot lines are. Arrange for the utility and cable companies to mark any underground cable, gas or electric lines.

2. 

   Draw all the features of your front yard.

   Draw the property boundaries, house, driveway, sidewalk and any other structures or features in the front yard to scale on graph paper.Indicate where the underground gas or utility lines are located. Include the locations of drainage ditches, drain tiles and natural drainage slopes in the yard that should not be disturbed.

3. 

   Choose shrubs and ornamental trees with colorful blooms and foliage to use as a focal point.

   Place a piece of tracing paper over the graph paper and draw a rough outline of the intended landscape areas onto the tracing paper. Place another piece of tracing paper over the rough outline. Use this top sheet of tracing paper to draw more specific landscaping ideas. Create landscaped areas and foundation landscapes with rounded or irregular edges for a more natural look and straight uniform edges for a more formal look.

4. 

   Select trees that will not grow too tall and overpower the house.

   Consider the mature heights and widths of the intended landscape plants when deciding what should be planted and where. Begin with general material suggestions at first, indicating the desired plant material simply as trees, shrubs or smaller plants. Place deciduous shade trees to the south or west of the home for maximum benefit.

5. 

   Evergreen trees are planted as specimen plants in the center of an island landscape.

   Select shrubs and plants that will not grow taller than the bottom edge of windows when planning foundation plantings. Plant shorter shrubs next to the front door with gradually taller shrubs along the foundation to the corner of the house to draw attention to the front door. Use shorter ornamental trees off the corner of the house. Ornamental trees are also commonly used as specimen plants in an island planting in the center of the yard or in landscaped areas in the corner of the front yard.

6. 

   Herbaceous perennials can be planted along property lines as an informal border.

   Make the final plant material selections with their growing requirements in mind. Select trees, shrubs and plants that thrive in shade for shady locations and those that thrive in full sun for sunny locations. Consider soil and pH requirements for the trees, shrubs and plants as well.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a tape measure to insure your landscaping is symmetrical

• make certain you don't overcrowd by getting the size it will mature to

• Measure the distance between each piece and also the distance you plant from the house.

• Over planting will make your beds look crowded in years to come but be sure you don't space them too far apart causing the landscape to look empty.

References

• Mississippi State Univ.; MSU Cares; Home Landscape in Mississippi; Developing a Home Landscape Plan; Robert F. Brzuszek
• Univ. of Missouri Ext.: Developing the Landscape Plan
• Plant Care: Assigning the Five Basic Landscaping Areas
• Clemson Coop. Ext.; Home & Garden Information Center; Choosing a Planting Location; Bob Polomski & Debbie Shaughnessy; January 1999